Systems and methods for interactive maps

ABSTRACT

An interactive map may comprise image data associated with an area. First image data and second image data may comprise an indication of a subsection of the area at different times. At least a portion of the first image data and second image data may be output via the interactive map. The subsection of the area in the first image data and in the second image data may be output at corresponding positions. The interactive map may comprise an interactive icon. A user input may be received, via the interactive map, indicative of a movement of the interactive icon. Responsive to the user input, a part of the first image data or the second image data may be revealed and a part of the second image data or the first image data may be obscured in a direction corresponding to a direction of the movement of the interactive icon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent claims priority to and the benefit of provisional patentapplication 62/587,850 which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Leaving a home unattended for any period of time can be a cause forunease. The anxiety is multiplied when the home is vacated due to adisaster, whether man-made or natural. While evacuation of the home maybe unavoidable, knowledge of the state of the home may provide somepeace of mind.

SUMMARY

An interactive map system may enable a user to remotely monitor a homeand determine if the home has been damaged. The interactive map systemmay allow service providers to determine the extent of damage to thehome or the need for emergency response to a particular location,without going on-site. Generating the interactive map system maycomprise generating image data associated with an area at differenttimes. Image processing may be used to determine a section of firstimage data generated at a first time and a section of second image datagenerated at a second time. An interactive map may be output comprisinga portion of the first image data and a portion of the second imagedata. The section of the first image data may be output at a position onthe interactive map corresponding to a position of the section of thesecond image data.

The interactive map may comprise an interactive icon. A user input maybe received via the interactive map. The user input may be indicative ofan interaction with the interactive icon. Based on the user input, adifferent portion of the first image data or the second image data maybe caused to be output.

A user device may access an interactive map interface. The interface maycomprise an interactive icon. The interface may comprise data associatedwith an area. The interface may comprise first data and second datagenerated at different times. A user input indicative of a movement ofthe interactive icon may be received. Based on the user input, anindication of the movement may be input. A dynamically modified view ofimage data of the interactive map interface may be received. Thedynamically modified view of the first image data may comprise a portionof the second image data revealed and a portion of the first image dataobscured in a direction of the movement of the interaction icon when theinteractive icon is moved in a first direction. The dynamically modifiedview of image data may comprise the portion of the second image dataobscured and the portion of the first image data revealed in thedirection of the movement of the interactive icon when the interactiveicon is moved in a second direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but notby way of limitation, various examples discussed in the presentdisclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an example method.

FIG. 2 shows example image data.

FIG. 3 shows an example user interface.

FIG. 4 shows an example method.

FIG. 5 shows an example method.

FIG. 6 shows an example computing environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An interactive map system may enable a user to remotely monitor a homeand determine if the home has been damaged. The interactive map systemmay allow service providers to determine the extent of damage to thehome or the need for emergency response to a particular location,without going on-site. However, existing technologies fall short ofproviding comprehensive information regarding the status of the home.For example, the technologies do not provide real-time updates. Thetechnologies provide images of the home from limited views, such as fromonly a ground-level view or only an aerial view. The technologies arenot equipped to operate during disasters, such as in extreme conditions.Further, the existing technology does not indicate damage or the extentof damage to the home. As an illustrative example, a homeowner maystruggle, when viewing an aerial photo of a home, to identify damage toa roof of the home. The homeowner may find that, based on her ownrecollection, she cannot determine whether the damage was pre-existingor whether the damage occurred since the homeowner last left the home.

The interactive map system may comprise imagery of the home, such asaerial imagery or video. The imagery may comprise images of the home atdifferent times. The images of the home at different times may bedisplayed such that common points of the home in the images are aligned,overlapped, or are juxtaposed. The interactive map system may compriseone or more interactive icons. In response to interaction with theinteractive icon, the view of the images of the home may dynamicallychange. For example, an image of the home at a later time may bedynamically overlayed on an image of the home at an earlier time.

A user may access an interactive map system to remotely monitor an area.For example, a homeowner may evacuate a hometown in anticipation of anatural disaster. While away, the homeowner may access the interactivemap interface to watch over a home and determine if the home has beendamaged. As another example, a repair services provider or insuranceprovider may use the interactive map interface to determine if the areahas been damaged and to determine the extent of the damage. As yetanother example, an emergency service provider may use the interactivemap system to determine damage to the area and to determine whereassistance is needed. The interactive map system may eliminate the needfor service providers to physically enter the area.

Referencing step 110 of FIG. 1, a user may access the interactive mapsystem on a user device, such as a personal computer, a mobile device, acellular device, a tablet device, a gateway device, a kiosk, or anothercomputing device. The interactive map system may comprise an interactivemap interface, such as a graphic user interface. The interactive mapsystem may comprise a software program, a web application, a mobileapplication, or a web portal, accessible by the user device, forexample. At step 120, the user may provide authentication data for anauthentication process. The authentication data may comprise a username,a password, an account number, a token, a key, or another identifier.The authentication data may be transmitted to a server, an endpoint, anetwork, or another device associated with the interactive map system.

The user may be associated with an area. The area may comprise abuilding, such as a residential building, a commercial building, anorganizational building, a services building, or a governmentalbuilding. The area may comprise a portion of a building, such as a roomof the building, a unit of the building, or a facility of the building.The area may comprise a group of buildings, such as a campus, a complex,or a neighborhood. The area may comprise an open area, such as a park, aforest, a waterway, or a roadway. The area may comprise a boundedgeographical area, such as a district, town, city, county, state, orcountry, for example.

At step 130, using the interactive map system, the user may view anindication of data associated with the area. The data may comprise imagedata, such as an image of the area or a video of the area. The video maycomprise live video, streamed video, or recorded video, for example. Thevideo may comprise augmented reality, virtual reality, or mixed realityvideo data, for example. The image data may comprise a plurality offrames. The plurality of frames may comprise images of the area atdifferent times. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the image data maycomprise first image data 210 and second image data 220. The first imagedata 210 may comprise an image of the area at a first time and thesecond image data 220 may comprise an image of the area at a secondtime. The second time may comprise a later or earlier time than thefirst time. The first image data 210 and the second image data 220 maybe displayed such that common sections or points of the area in theimages are aligned, overlapping, or are juxtaposed.

The interactive map system may comprise one or more interactive icons230. Referencing step 140 of FIG. 1, the user may select, engage, move,or otherwise interact with the interactive icon by a user input. Theuser input may comprise, for example, a point, a click, or a drag, suchas via the user device. The user input may comprise a voice input, amotion input, or a text input, for example. The interactive icon may beconfigured to cause execution of a function of the interactive mapsystem responsive to the user input.

At step 150, the user may access data based on the interaction with theinteractive icon and via the interactive map system. For example, theimage data or a different view of the image data may be rendered inresponse to the interaction with the interactive icon. The interactiveicon may enable control of a zoom function, a scroll function, a rotatefunction, a tilt, or a pan function of the interactive map system. As anexample, the interactive icon may enable a user to alternate between anaerial view of the area and a ground view of the area. The interactiveicon may enable a user to alternate between a plan view and aperspective view of the area.

The interactive icon may comprise a draggable icon. FIG. 2 shows adraggable interactive icon 230 comprising a slidable bar. However theinteractive icon may comprise another shape or design. The interactiveicon 230, when dragged, may cause display of a different portion of atleast one of the first image data 210 and the second image data 220.Although FIG. 2 shows the interactive icon 230 rendered between at leasta portion of the first image data 210 and at least a portion of thesecond image data 220, the interactive icon 230 may be rendered at adifferent position.

Responsive to a dragging of the interactive icon 230 towards the firstimage data 210, a greater portion of the second image data 220 may bedisplayed and a lesser portion of the first image data 210 may bedisplayed. Responsive to a dragging of the interactive icon 230 towardsthe first image data 210, a greater portion of the first image data 210may be displayed and a lesser portion of the second image 220 may bedisplayed. Alternatively or in addition, responsive to a dragging of theinteractive icon 230 towards the first image data 210, the second imagedata 220 may be rendered over the first image 210 as an overlay. Thesecond image 220 may overlay the first image 210 in a sliding motion.For example, the second image 220 may slide in a motion synchronizedwith or corresponding to a motion or direction of motion of theinteractive icon 230 when dragged. The overlay may comprise atransparent, semi-transparent, or opaque overlay. Responsive to adragging of the interactive icon 230 towards the second image data 220,the second image data 220 may be rolled back, revealing the first imagedata 210 without the overlay.

The portion of the first image data 210 that is revealed may beassociated with the portion of the second image data 220 that isobscured. For example, the portion of the first image data 210 that isrevealed may comprise sections of the area or points on the area and theportion of the second image data 220 that is obscured may comprise thesame sections or points. The sections or points may comprise a tract,plot, coordinates, or a feature of the area, for example. Sections orpoints of the area in the first image data may be mapped to the sectionsor points in the second image data such that the sections or points aredisplayed on the interactive map system in same positions on theinteractive map system, regardless of the current view of the imagedata. As an illustrative example, a section in the first image data thatis indicative of a corner of a window frame may be mapped to a sectionin the second image data that is indicative of the corner of the windowframe. As another illustrative example, a section in the first imagedata that is associated with coordinates 33° 47′ 10.76″ North, 84° 23′1.22″ West may be mapped to a section in the second image data that isassociated with coordinates 33° 47′ 10.76″ North, 84° 23′ 1.22″ West.The portion of the first image data 210 that is revealed may have a sizecorresponding to a size of the portion of the second image data 220 thatis obscured. For example, the portion of the first image data 210 thatis revealed and the size of the portion of the second image data 220that is obscured may each represent a geographic area having a size of 2miles by 1 mile. As another example, the portion of the first image data210 that is revealed and the size of the portion of the second imagedata 220 that is obscured may each have dimensions of 450 pixels by 200pixels.

If the image data comprises video of the area, the interactive mapsystem may comprise an interactive icon configured to enable control ofa video function, such as a playback function of the video. The user mayinteract with the interactive icon to control playback of the video. Forexample the interactive icon may enable control of a play, pause, stop,rewind, trick play, rotate, pan, or tilt function of the video. If thevideo comprises augmented reality, virtual reality, or mixed realityvideo, the interactive icon may comprise an icon or an object depictedin the video.

The interactive icon may be configured to enable control of a cameradevice associated with the image data. For example, the user mayinteract with the interactive icon to operate the camera deviceremotely, such as by piloting or maneuvering the camera device. The usermay interact with the interactive icon to change a setting of the cameradevice.

The user may interact with the interactive icon to view image dataassociated with another area. For example, the interactive map systemmay comprise a database of image data. Image data may be accessed fromthe database that is relevant to the area. The relevant image data maycomprise image data associated with a condition of the area, such as adisaster or damage, image data associated with an area having a similarstructure as the area, or image data associated with an area having asimilar geographic location to the area, for example. As an illustrativeexample, if the area comprises a house in a hurricane zone, image dataassociated with a similar house that sustained hurricane damage may beaccessed from the database and rendered via the interactive map system.

Data indicative of a status of the area or different data indicative ofthe status of the area may be rendered in response to the interactionwith the interactive icon. The data may comprise climatic data, such asa temperature, humidity, a precipitation, and a wind speed associatedwith the area. The data may comprise seismic data associated with thearea. The data may be associated with a status of a building, such as astate of a home automation device or a state of a security system at thebuilding. The data may comprise an indication of an extent of damage tothe area, such as a quantification of the damage. The data may comprisecomposite image data. The composite image data may comprise an image orvideo of the area. The composite image data may comprise a symbol ortext over the image or video of the area. The symbol or text may bepositioned at a location of the image or the video that is associatedwith the content or significance of the symbol or text. For example, thecomposite image data may comprise an image of the area with colorsindicating temperatures at different points at the area. The compositeimage data may comprise an image of the area with a marking indicating apoint of damage at the area.

Referencing step 160 of FIG. 1, the user may request, via theinteractive map system, one or more services. The service may comprise arepair service. The service may comprise an emergency assistanceservice, such as deployment of emergency personnel or emergencysupplies. The emergency supplies may be deployed using an unmannedvehicle, such as an aerial vehicle or a ground vehicle. The service maycomprise an insurance service, such as a claim filing or an insuranceplan. The service may comprise a communication service, such as aservice that sends a notification associated with the area to athird-party or a service that establishes communication, via theinteractive map system, with a third-party. The request for the servicemay comprise additional information, such as information associated witha timeframe for the service or an insurance policy of the user. Therequest for the service may comprise a request for a quote for theservice. The user may receive the quote automatically via theinteractive map interface. For example, the quote may be generated basedon a computation analysis of the extent of the damage. The quote may begenerated based at least on the additional information provided by theuser.

FIG. 3 shows an example interactive map interface 300. The interface 300may comprise a graphic user interface. The interface 300 may comprise adraggable interactive icon 380 (e.g., interactive icon 230 in FIG. 2).The interactive icon 380 may be draggable or slidable. The interactiveicon 380 may comprise a bar. However, the interactive icon may compriseanother shape or design. The interface 300 may comprise image data 310.The image data 310 may show a map or image of a geographic regionaffected by an event, such as a natural disaster. The image data 310 maycomprise first image data 390 and second image data 395 (e.g., firstimage data 210 and second image data 220 in FIG. 2). The interactiveicon 380, when dragged, may cause display of a different portion of atleast one of the first image data 390 and the second image data 395.

The interface 300 may comprise an address field 320 configure to receivean input indicating an address, place, or geographic location. Based onthe input, the interface 300 may render display data 310 associated withthe address, place, or geographic location, such as an image of theaddress, place, or geographic location.

The interface 300 may comprise a maximize icon 330. Based on receivingan indication of an interaction (e.g., pressing, touching, engaging)with the maximize icon 330, the interface 300 may render display data310 showing a zoomed-in or closer view of the previously shown displaydata. The interface 300 may comprise a minimize icon 340. Based onreceiving an indication of an interaction with the minimize icon 340,the interface 300 may render display data 310 showing a zoomed-out orwider view of the previously shown display data.

The interface 300 may comprise a viewfinder icon 350 overlaying theimage data 310. The viewfinder icon 350 may comprise a square, a frame,another shape, or a combination thereof. The viewfinder icon 350 may bemoved with respect to the image data 310. The interface 300 may beconfigured to show a three-dimensional view 360 of a regioncorresponding to a location of the viewfinder icon 350 on the imagedata. The interface 300 may be configured to present a link to adifferent interface, tab, page, or image that shows a three-dimensionalview 360 of a region corresponding to a location of the viewfinder icon350 on the image data. Based on The interface 300 may display targeticons 370 representing locations on the image data for whichthree-dimensional views 360 are available. The target icons 370 maycomprise circles or another shape.

FIG. 4 shows a method of generating an interactive map system. At step410, data associated with the area may be generated. Generating the dataassociated with the area may comprise generating the image dataassociated with the area. The image data may be generated using one ormore camera devices. The camera device may be deployed to the area orthe camera device may be stationed in a position to generate the imagedata. The camera device may comprise an aerial device, such as anairplane, a glider, a drone, a helicopter, or a satellite. The cameradevice may comprise a ground device, such as a surveillance camera, avehicle, a user device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or ahandheld device. The camera device may comprise a waterproof device,such as a camera configured to generate data in water or configured tomove on, under, or through water. The camera device may comprise anunmanned device or vehicle, such as remotely controlled device or anautonomous device.

The camera device may capture an image or video of the area from one ormore viewpoints. For example, the image data may comprise an aerialview, a ground-level view, an exterior view, or an interior view of thearea. The image data may comprise visible light image data, infraredimage data, multispectral image data, or water vapor image data. Theimage data may comprise geolocation data associated with the area. Thecamera device may comprise a geolocation device configured to generatethe geolocation data or the geolocation data may be generated usinganother geolocation device. Generating the geolocation data may compriseusing radio frequency (RF) geolocation or cellular triangulation, forexample.

The image data may be generated using one or more computing devices. Thecomputing device may receive the image data from the camera device.Alternatively, the computing device may comprise the camera device. Thecomputing device may compile the image data from a plurality of cameradevices to generate composite image data.

Generating the image data may comprise a process similar to the processshown in FIG. 5. At step 510, first image data associated with the areamay be generated. The first image data (e.g., the first image data 210in FIG. 2) may be associated with a first time. At step 520, secondimage data (e.g., the second image data 220 in FIG. 2) associated withthe area may be generated. The second image data may be generated by amethod similar to the method used to generate the first image data. Thesecond image data may be generated by a same or different camera deviceor computing device that is used to generate the first image data. Thesecond image data may comprise a same or different view of the area asthe first image data. The second image data may be associated with asecond time. The second time may be different than the first time, suchas prior to or subsequent to the first time.

At step 530, a point or section of the first image data associated witha point or section of the second image data may be determined. Thesections points may be associated with a plot, tract, feature, orcoordinates in the area, for example. The points may be determined usinga computing device. For example, the points may be determined by thecomputing device using image processing or image recognition. The imageprocessing may use a convolutional neural network. The image processingmay use computer learning to recognize structures. The image processingmay use GPS data or other geolocation data. The computing device mayrecognize one or more positions or features in the first image data,such as based on shapes, patterns, or colors of the image data. Thecomputing device may determine one or more positions or features in thesecond image data that are associated with the one or more positions orfeatures in the first image data. For example, the computing device maydetermine a location of the area that is represented in the first imagedata and the second image data. The computing device may determine apoint in the first image data and a point in the second image data atwhich the location is represented. The points may comprise a pixel or agroup of pixels in the image data. As another illustrative example, thecomputing device may recognize a feature of a building, such as a roof,a wall, or a door, for example. The computing device may be taught torecognizing features or positions by a machine learning algorithm. Thecomputing device may determine a point in the first image data and apoint in the second image data at which the feature is represented.

In addition or alternatively, the points may be determined by thecomputing device using geographic data. The first image data and thesecond image data may comprise geolocation data, such as coordinates.The computing device determine a point of the first image data and apoint of the second set of image data associated with a set ofcoordinates in the area.

Generating the data may comprise analyzing the image data. For example,the image data may be analyzed to determine damage to the area, such asdigital image processing or digital image analysis. The damage to theproperty may be determined based on changes identified in the image dataassociated with the area over a period of time. A computer may betrained to determine the damage by being fed a sample comprising imagesof known damage and by adjusting a parameter until the computer candetermine the damage with higher accuracy.

Generating the data may comprise generating a model, such as a 3Ddigital model, of the area. Generating the model may use the image datagenerated, such as aerial image data. For example, image data capturedat different angles relative to the area may be used to map the area.The image data may be used to measure features of the area.

Generating the data may comprise receiving data from one or more devicesor sensors located at the area. The device may comprise, for example, ahome automation device, a security system device, a surveillance device,a user device, or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The sensor maycomprise, for example, a thermal sensor, a seismographic sensor, amotion sensor, a gas sensor. Determining the damage may comprisereceiving data from the device or sensor and determining that the datafrom the sensor is consistent with or correlates with the image data.

At step 540, an interactive map associated with the area may begenerated. The interactive map may comprise composite image data basedon the first image data and the second image data. For example, a baselayer may be generated using the first image data or the second imagedata. An overlay layer may be generated using the other of the firstimage data or the second image data. The interactive map may comprisegenerating composite image data in which the overlay layer displayedover the base layer. The overlay layer may be rendered on the base layersuch that the point of the first image data is positioned over the pointof the second image data.

Referencing step 420 in FIG. 4, after the data is generated, a requestassociated with the interactive map system may be received. The requestmay be received from a user device (e.g., the user device in step 110 inFIG. 1). The request may be received by a computing device (e.g., thecomputing device in step 110 in FIG. 1), a server, or a network, forexample. The request may comprise a request to access the image data.The request may comprise a request for an indication of a status of thearea.

The request may comprise authentication data. An authentication processmay be executed to determine that the request is associated with amember or customer of a service. The authentication process may beexecuted to determine a level of access of the interactive map system.The authentication process may be executed to determine the areaassociated with the request.

At step 430, an interactive map may be transmitted. The interactive mapmay be transmitted based on the request and the authentication in step420. The interactive map may be transmitted via the interactive mapsystem. The interactive map may be transmitted by the computing device.The interactive map may be transmitted to the user device. Theinteractive map may comprise the image data. The interactive map maycomprise the composite image data. The interactive map may comprise aninteractive icon (e.g., the interactive icon in step 140 in FIG. 1 orthe interactive icon 230 in FIG. 2).

The interactive map may comprise at least a portion of the first imagedata generated in step 510 and at least a portion of the second imagedata generated in step 520 of FIG. 5. For example, at least a portion ofthe first image data may be displayed adjacent to at least a portion ofthe second image data. The first image data and the second image datamay be rendered such that a position of the point in the first imagedata is associated with a position of the point in the second imagedata. For example, the point in the first image data and the point inthe second image data may be at a common position. As another example,the point in the first image data may be positioned adjacent to thepoint in the second image data. The portion of the image data displayedmay be determined based on a determination of damage to the area. Forexample, a portion comprising an indication of the damage may bedisplayed.

Referencing step 440, a user input may be received (e.g., the user inputin step 140 in FIG. 1). The user input may be associated with theinteractive icon. The user input may be indicative of an interactionwith the interactive icon. The user input may comprise, for example, apoint, a click, or a drag of the interactive icon. The user input may beindicative of a request for data associated with the area. For example,the user input may be indicative of a request for a different view ofthe image data.

At step 450, data associated with the area may be transmitted based onthe user input. The data may be transmitted via the interactive mapsystem. The transmission of data may be in response to the interactionwith the interactive icon. The image data may be transmitted in responseto the interaction with the interactive icon. For example, image dataassociated with a time or view indicated by the user input may betransmitted. If the image data comprises video, a playback function maybe executed based on the user input. For example, based on the userinput, the video may be played, paused, rewound, fast-forwarded,rotated, panned, or tilted.

If the interactive icon comprises a draggable icon, a different portionof at least one of the first image data and the second image data fromFIG. 5 may be rendered. Responsive to a dragging of the icon towards thefirst image data, a greater portion of the second image data may bedisplayed and a smaller portion of the first image data may bedisplayed. Responsive to a dragging of the icon towards the first imagedata, a greater portion of the first image data may be displayed and asmaller portion of the second image may be displayed. Alternatively orin addition, responsive to a dragging of the icon towards the firstimage data, the second image data may be rendered over the first imageas an overlay. The second image may overlay the first image in a slidingmotion. For example, the second image may slide in a motioncorresponding to motion of the icon. The overlay may comprise atransparent, semi-transparent, or opaque overlay. Responsive to adragging of the icon towards the second image data, the second imagedata may be rolled back, revealing the first image data without theoverlay.

The portion of image data that is revealed, responsive to the draggingof the icon, may be associated with the portion of the image that isobscured. As an illustrative example, if the point of the first image isrevealed, responsive to the dragging of the icon, the point of thesecond image data determined in step 530 of FIG. 5 may be obscured. If,responsive to the dragging of the icon, the second image is renderedover the first image, the point of the second image may be rendered ofthe point of the first image.

At step 460, a request for a service associated with the area may bereceived via the interactive map system. The service may comprise arepair service. The service may comprise an emergency assistanceservice, such as deployment of emergency personnel or emergencysupplies. The emergency supplies may be deployed using an unmannedvehicle, such as an aerial vehicle or a ground vehicle. The service maycomprise an insurance service, such as a claim filing or an insuranceplan. The service may comprise a communication service, such as aservice that sends a notification associated with the area to athird-party or a service that establishes communication, via theinteractive map system, with a third-party. The request for the servicemay comprise additional information, such as information associated witha timeframe for the service or an insurance policy of the user. Therequest for the service may comprise a request for a quote for theservice. A quote for the service may be determined, such as based atleast on the determined damage, extend of the damage, generatedmeasurements, generated model, or other generated data. The quote may bedetermined based at least on the additional information or dataassociated with the user or the area accessed from a database.

At step 470, a response to the request for the service may betransmitted. The response may be transmitted via the interactive mapsystem. The response may comprise the quote. The response may comprisean indication that the service will be provided. The response maycomprise further information associated with the service, such as anexpected time of the service or provider of the service. The responsemay comprise selectable options associated with the service, such as aselection of service providers, a selection of service dates and times,and a selection of service types. A selection of one or more options maybe received. In response to the request or the selection of the options,the service may be provided. For example, a human service provider or anautonomous vehicle may be deployed to the area to perform the service.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram illustrating an example operatingenvironment 600 for performing the disclosed interactive map systems andmethods. This exemplary operating environment is only an example of anoperating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation asto the scope of use or functionality of operating environmentarchitecture. Neither should the operating environment be interpreted ashaving any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combinationof components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment.

The present methods and systems may be operational with numerous othergeneral purpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,or configurations that may be suitable for use with the systems andmethods comprise, but are not limited to, personal computers, servercomputers, laptop devices, and multiprocessor systems. Additionalexamples comprise set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computingenvironments that comprise any of the above systems or devices, and thelike.

The processing of the disclosed methods and systems may be performed bysoftware components. The disclosed systems and methods may be describedin the general context of computer-executable instructions, such asprogram modules, being executed by one or more computers or otherdevices. Generally, program modules comprise computer code, routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performsparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thedisclosed methods may also be practiced in grid-based and distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

Further, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be implemented viaa computing device 601. The components of the computing device 601 maycomprise, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processingunits 603, a system memory 612, and a system bus 613 that couplesvarious system components including the processor 603 to the systemmemory 612. In the case of multiple processing units 603, the system mayutilize parallel computing.

The system bus 613 represents one or more of several possible types ofbus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or localbus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, sucharchitectures may comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, aVideo Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an AcceleratedGraphics Port (AGP) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI),a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association(PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The bus 613, and allbuses specified in this description may also be implemented over a wiredor wireless network connection and each of the subsystems, including theprocessor 603, a mass storage device 604, an operating system 605,entitlement software 606, entitlement data 607, a network adapter 608,system memory 612, an Input/Output Interface 610, a display adapter 609,a display device 611, and a human machine interface 602, may becontained within one or more remote computing devices 614 a,b,c atphysically separate locations, connected through buses of this form, ineffect implementing a fully distributed system.

The computing device 601 typically comprises a variety of computerreadable media. Exemplary readable media may be any available media thatis accessible by the computing device 601 and comprises, for example andnot meant to be limiting, both volatile and non-volatile media,removable and non-removable media. The system memory 612 comprisescomputer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as randomaccess memory (RAM), or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory(ROM). The system memory 612 typically contains data such as entitlementdata 607 or program modules such as operating system 605 and entitlementsoftware 606 that are immediately accessible to or are presentlyoperated on by the processing unit 603.

In another aspect, the computing device 601 may also comprise otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media.By way of example, FIG. 6 illustrates a mass storage device 604 whichmay provide non-volatile storage of computer code, computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for thecomputing device 601. For example and not meant to be limiting, a massstorage device 604 may be a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, aremovable optical disk, magnetic cassettes or other magnetic storagedevices, flash memory cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) orother optical storage, random access memories (RAM), read only memories(ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), andthe like.

Optionally, any number of program modules may be stored on the massstorage device 604, including by way of example, an operating system 605and entitlement software 606. Each of the operating system 605 andentitlement software 606 (or some combination thereof) may compriseelements of the programming and the entitlement software 606.Entitlement data 607 may also be stored on the mass storage device 604.Entitlement data 607 may be stored in any of one or more databases knownin the art. Examples of such databases comprise, DB2®, Microsoft®Access, Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle®, mySQL, PostgreSQL, and the like.The databases may be centralized or distributed across multiple systems.

In another aspect, the user may enter commands and information into thecomputing device 601 via an input device (not shown). Examples of suchinput devices comprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointingdevice (e.g., a “mouse”), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactileinput devices such as gloves, and other body coverings, and the likeThese and other input devices may be connected to the processing unit603 via a human machine interface 602 that is coupled to the system bus613, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such asa parallel port, game port, an IEEE 694 Port (also known as a Firewireport), a serial port, or a universal serial bus (USB).

In yet another aspect, a display device 611 may also be connected to thesystem bus 613 via an interface, such as a display adapter 609. It iscontemplated that the computing device 601 may have more than onedisplay adapter 609 and the computer 601 may have more than one displaydevice 611. For example, a display device may be a monitor, an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display), or a projector. In addition to the displaydevice 611, other output peripheral devices may comprise components suchas speakers (not shown) and a printer (not shown) which may be connectedto the computing device 601 via Input/Output Interface 610. Any step orresult of the methods may be output in any form to an output device.Such output may be any form of visual representation, including, but notlimited to, textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like.The display 611 and computing device 601 may be part of one device, orseparate devices.

The computing device 601 may operate in a networked environment usinglogical connections to one or more remote computing devices 614 a,b,c.By way of example, a remote computing device may be a personal computer,portable computer, a smart phone, a server, a router, a networkcomputer, a peer device or other common network node, and so on. Logicalconnections between the computing device 601 and a remote computingdevice 614 a,b,c may be made via a network 615, such as a local areanetwork (LAN) and a general wide area network (WAN). Such networkconnections may be through a network adapter 608. A network adapter 608may be implemented in both wired and wireless environments. Suchnetworking environments are conventional and commonplace in dwellings,offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

For purposes of illustration, application programs and other executableprogram components such as the operating system 605 are illustratedherein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programsand components reside at various times in different storage componentsof the computing device 601, and are executed by the data processor(s)of the computer. An implementation of entitlement software 606 may bestored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media.Any of the disclosed methods may be performed by computer readableinstructions embodied on computer readable media. Computer readablemedia may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. Byway of example and not meant to be limiting, computer readable media maycomprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.” “Computerstorage media” comprise volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any methods or technology for storageof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Exemplary computer storage mediacomprises, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory orother memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which maybe used to store the desired information and which may be accessed by acomputer.

What is claimed:
 1. A method comprising: generating first image dataassociated with an area at a first time; generating second image dataassociated with the area at a second time, wherein the second time isdifferent than the first time; determining, using image processing, asection of the first image data associated with a section of the secondimage data; generating an interactive map comprising at least a portionof the first image data and at least a portion of the second image data,wherein the interactive map comprises an interactive icon; causingoutput of the interactive map, wherein the section of the first imagedata is output at a position on the interactive map corresponding to aposition of the section of the second image data on the interactive map;receiving, via the interactive map, a user input indicative of aninteraction with the interactive icon; and causing output, based on theuser input and via the interactive map, of a different portion of atleast one of the first image data and the second image data.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the interactive icon comprises a bar.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the bar is rendered between the at leastportion of the first image data and the at least portion of the secondimage data on the interactive map.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thearea comprises at least one of a portion of a building, a plurality ofbuildings, a roadway, a waterway, a park, and a forest.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the section of the first image data and the section ofthe second image data comprise an indication of a feature of the area.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the different portion of at least oneof the first image data and the second image data comprises causing atleast a part of the second image data overlaid on at least a part of thefirst image data.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the differentportion of at least one of the first image data and the second imagedata comprises a greater portion of the first image data and a smallerportion of the second image data.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theinteraction with the interactive icon comprises a dragging of theinteractive icon.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the causing outputof the different portion of the at least one of the first image data andthe second image data comprises causing part of at least one of thefirst image data and the second image data to slide across theinteractive map.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the causing the partof at least one of the first image data and the second image data toslide across the interactive map comprises causing the part of the atleast one of the first image data and the second image data to slideacross the interactive map in tandem with the dragging of theinteractive icon.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the causing outputof the different portion of the at least one of the first image data andthe second image data comprises revealing at least a part of the firstimage data and obscuring at least a part of the second image data,wherein the at least part of the first image data is associated with theat least part of the second image data.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the at least part of the first image data comprises the sectionof the first image data associated with the second image data; andwherein the at least part of the second image data comprises the sectionof the second image data.
 13. A method comprising displaying, by a userdevice, an interactive map interface comprising an interactive icon,first image data associated with an area at a first time, and secondimage data associated with the area at a second time different than thefirst time; receiving, via the interactive map interface, an inputindicating a movement of the interactive icon; and displaying, via theinteractive map interface, a dynamically modified view of the firstimage data and the second image data, wherein a portion of the secondimage data is revealed and a portion of the first image data is obscuredin a direction of the movement of the interaction icon when theinteractive icon is moved in a first direction, and wherein the portionof the second image data is obscured and the portion of the first imagedata is revealed in the direction of the movement of the interactiveicon when the interactive icon is moved in a second direction.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises receiving, viathe interactive map interface, an indication of data from a sensordevice located at the area.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein theportion of the first image data and the portion of the second image datacomprise a common point in the area.
 16. The method of claim 13, whereina size of the portion of the second image data that is revealedcorresponds to the size of the portion of the first image data that isobscured.
 17. A device comprising: one or more processors; and memorystoring instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors,cause the device to: generate first image data associated with an areaat a first time; generate second image data associated with the area ata second time, wherein the second time is different than the first time;determine, using image processing, a section of the first image dataassociated with a section of the second image data; cause display, viaan interactive map interface, of a first portion of the first image dataand a first portion of the second image data, wherein the first portionof the first image data comprises the section of the first image data,wherein the first portion of the second image data does not comprise thesection of the second image data wherein the interactive map interfacecomprises an interactive icon; receive via the interactive mapinterface, a user input indicative of an interaction with theinteractive icon; and cause display based on the user input and via theinteractive map interface, of a second portion of the first image dataand a second portion of the second image data, wherein the secondportion of the first image data does not comprise the section of thefirst image data, and wherein the second portion of the second imagedata comprises the section of the second image data.
 18. The device ofclaim 17, wherein the interactive map interface is output via a mobiledevice.
 19. The device of claim 17, wherein the interactive iconcomprises a slidable bar.
 20. The device of claim 17, wherein a size ofthe second portion of the second image data that is displayedcorresponds to a size of a portion of the first image that is obscured.